Unlikely Heroes

Tim (left) and Mike (right) seeing each other for the first time after the transplant (nothing more comical than listening to two grown men drugged up, talking, and caring for each other)

When you are involved in seeing Jesus impact people God gives you a window into some of the most unlikely of heroes that He works through.  This past week I had an amazing opportunity to see one of the greatest stories and miracles I've ever seen.  Tim on the left donated his kidney to Mike on the right.  This for me is like a modern story screaming off the pages of scripture.  

Mike and Mary have been a part of Awaken for a few years now and have walked through their own challenges as we all do.  However this past year their challenges became the news that none of us want to hear; Mike needed a new kidney.  While placed on the transplant list and waiting for God to provide a miracle Tim and Wyonna who have become a part of Awaken in the last year or two heard of a brother's need that lead to this amazing story of an unlikely group of heroes.  Tim and Wyonna gave a kidney.

When I asked Tim why, his simple response was "obedience".  "God told me to do it so I had to do it."  Per his words God was "not on his radar before Awaken".  Mike and Mary at the same time are unlikely heroes as it takes someone with boldness to accept someones willingness to give them a new life.

I praise God that He allowed this story to be told on the tapestry of Awaken Church and we were all witnesses.  It is a beautiful picture of life and how God works through His people in many different ways to give life.  Pray for these families as they recover and have had many opportunities to share their faith in Jesus.

Mary is Mike's wife (left), Tim pre-op, and Wyonna his wife (right)

Mike pre-op who just received Tim's Kidney

Struggle Smellith of Rotten Apples? (Letter to Awaken)

This past weekend Connie and the kids and I decided to go apple picking just over the Carolina border.  It was a beautiful drive through the country side.  The cool Fall breeze air, sunny skies, and no phones or social media was exactly what the doctor ordered.  Being that my thumb is more black than green it was also nice to pick apples and vegetables from another's garden.  Yes we paid to pick their garden.  Are you kidding I have the Holy Spirit (Connie) to convict.

You ever walk through seasons in life that don't make much sense?  Maybe times that God can feel more distant than close; times where confusion, maybe anger, and even frustration set in.  When I walk through these times it reminds me that my devotion to God is more than an emotional appeal, but is rooted in the theology that God is at work in my life during those seasons maybe more than any other.  James 1:2-4 we are told that these seasons of confusion and frustration are for the testing of our faith and that this testing can produce perseverance and that if we allow this work to completion maturity is the result.

As our family picked fruits and vegetables one couldn't help but notice there were more on the ground rotting than what was available to be picked.   But without this rotting fruit there wouldn't be fertile soil for the next crop.  I know many in Awaken right now are going through different struggles.  As your pastor my heart aches with you.  I know some have lost jobs, some have lost friends and family members recently, challenges at work, struggling marriages, financial difficulties, etc.  I too am walking through a season of struggle.  Vs. 5 of James says maybe the most important thing in this entire passage.  "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."  

Here are some questions to ponder what God may be up too:

1.  God why am I going through this season right now?
2.  God what is it that you want to show me and teach me during this season?
3.  God what does your Word say about this?
4.  God what does the Community of Believers around me say about this?
5.  God what do you want me to do with these new found revelations?
6.  God when do you want me to do this?

A day away from the busyness, away from phone calls, laughing, playing, and even some yummy fruits and veggies reminds me of God's sovereignty (Christianese that God is in control even when the allusion of my control is gone) and that He is working something much deeper than I realize at the moment.  Our seasons of struggle, where all we may see is rotting fruit around us, is God actually preparing the next seasons harvest.  As you pastor and friend my hope is you persevere to see the harvest.

RE:Awaken Perspectives: Krisely Regaldo

I found Awaken a few years ago after hearing about them through an info meeting I attended for The Virginia Beach Justice Initiative.  I was shocked to learn  that a CHURCH was actually helping a human trafficking awareness and outreach organization. After all, Human Trafficking, abuse, addiction, and sex aren’t topics that I would normally associate with church outreach.  But sure enough, Awaken was doing something crazy.. it was challenging our city…AWAKENING it.  Awaken says it’s a church for the broken, yet redeemed by Christ's sacrifice.  That’s deep.  It’s hard for someone who’s been hurt, who’s been broken and shamed by a painful past, to stand tall and let their scars be shown; to say “I may have been a broken vessel, but in God’s eyes, I am a masterpiece". 

Everybody has a past, whether we choose to share it and use it as a vessel of hope and mending is up to us.  I completely feel encouraged and blessed to be a part of a church that lets me use my wounds  and battle scars as proof of Gods amazing grace and love.  Gathering the courage to attend my first service at Awaken was scary at first.  I knew I wanted to have a home church, I even did some church hopping with hopes of finding a church that simply just felt right.  But time after time I was let down. With Awaken, I instantly saw a church that wasn’t afraid to step out of traditional comfort and reach out.  I knew right away that Awaken would be a place I could call home.  A place where my family could grow and be challenged spiritually.  

It easy to stand on the sidelines and talk about change, it’s easy to gather and make plans to create change, but to physically reach out to someone and create change takes courage, spiritual strength, and purpose.  This is why I’m so excited to see the impact Awaken will be making through their RE:Awaken 2016 campaign.  Change is scary, stepping out of the norm is scary.  But fear is something that will always be there, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it”, Nelson Mandela.  I know that together, we can triumph and make an impact despite our fears.

RE:Awaken 2016 Perspectives: Elise Grybos

Elise excited for true community in Awaken

After high school I somehow found myself at a small liberal arts Christian college and it was great. I was surrounding by other God loving people who were on fire for Jesus. I could walk to my classes and hear people using the word Yahweh without batting an eye. People didn’t think I was addicted to carbs when I talked about my daily bread (although I am totally addicted to them…). Then the day came when I had to leave my little bubble and I was seriously unprepared.

I had gotten into a bad state of mind where I expected community to be created around and for me. Like many Christians, I was so used to going to a church building one to three times a week where other people had created a community for us. We enjoy our “free pass” where we don’t need to step out of our comfort zone and actually get to truly know, love, and support the people around us.

Having an authentic community is scary and our culture is probably the laziest at creating it. I mean we, pat ourselves on the back for being a good friend because we sent an old friend a Facebook birthday post with a picture attached. I give myself extra friend bonuses if I type in some false promise of getting together sometime soon with some vague location and time. We retweet a friend who is obviously crying out for help instead of calling or visiting with them, because you know that would just be awkward.

A true community isn’t always there to make our lives easier; I typically find it to be quite the opposite. It is when we are in an authentic community, we realize it isn’t all about me.  When we live in community we not only deal with our own problems, but the problems of our community.  In a true community we don’t show up and unload. We show up unload some of our issues but then gain the burden of others and feel for the people we have grown to love. We have people who won’t let us get away with “yeah I’m fine,” or “I’m doing ok.”  We are surrounded with people who love us enough to make us dig deep and ugly cry when needed. It can get messy and it is definitely hard but the beauty that blooms from it is so worth it.

We need to live in community not because it makes us feel better, but because it brings glory to God. In John 13:34, Jesus tells his disciples that people will know they are disciples of His because of how they love each other. Reading that makes me automatically start to want to bargain with God, I mean does he know how annoying some of these people He created are?  The answer is, yes of course He does. Then he asks me if I know how annoying I am, and I do…most times.

When I think of our community groups at Awaken, I see it as a designated time to intentionally develop relationships with others. Yes, we meet together to discuss God’s Word and theology, but I wouldn’t say that’s our only focus because knowledge is easily accessible, relationships are not. These  groups are a safe place to invite others to come without the Sunday morning pressure. Where you’re not asking them to “church” but you’re still surrounding them with God’s Church. Our community groups are a place for us to practice and nurture each other, so that we can go out and develop community with others. 
 

It is easy for us, as Christians to go to church and be disciples, sitting still and listening to our preacher Sunday morning. We often forget that we are all pastors, and our church meeting on Sunday is equipping us to go out, leave, and join little churches in our homes, neighborhoods, work, play groups, and everywhere else our lives touchdown. Why do we hold back from doing this? Besides being downright terrifying for the introverted at heart, it is hard, messy, and makes us come face to face with the responsibility we have as Christians.

So while I believe our Sunday morning gathering and community groups are essential and teach us, they need to be our pushing off point to create community with others around us. God doesn’t want us to only do what makes us comfortable,  as much as I would like to lay on the couch marathoning shows on Netflix, I know it is not how I’m going to build a community and add to God’s church.  As a church we need to step out of our comfort zones, do something courageous- have a five minute conversation with your neighbor, ask your co-worker what they’re passionate about, pay for the coffee for the person behind you, tell someone who is often overlooked just how much you appreciate them. It doesn’t take much to raise up others around us and it can be done with words or without them. God can help us run and fight through any barricade (2 Samuel 22:30), even if your barricade is crossing the street to love your neighbor.

Faith

Faith.  Why was Jesus amazed by it?  What is it?  How do we get it?  Where does it come from?  Jesus told a Roman army commander (Luke 7:1-10) that he had not even found a greater faith in Israel when the commander pleaded with Jesus to heal his servant, but knew he did not even deserve to be in Jesus' presence.  Why was Jesus amazed with someones faith who was not even an Israelite?  The Roman Commander understood the essence of authority and explained that he to was in authority over a regiment of the military.  But as he understood his own authority he knew and understood Jesus' authority over all and believed that Jesus could heal this man he was pleading for.  This man's faith was amazing to Jesus not only because he knew Jesus could heal, but I think more because this Roman Commander placed himself under the authority of Jesus.  He showed a spirit of submission.  Is our faith sometimes more difficult than it should be simply because we refuse to submit the most important parts of our lives to Christ?  Is it because we are willing to follow Jesus if all we believe he wants is for me to come and listen on Sundays and to maybe offer as charity a little bit of my time every once in a while?

This thought is continued (Hebrews 11:1) when we are told that faith is the reality of what we move into which is not yet seen.  How often do we stagnate spiritually when we refuse to trust?  We refuse to trust that God's authority is a sovereign, all knowing, and loving authority where He holds us in the palm of His hand not to crush us, but just the opposite to see us blossom to reflect His clear image in our lives.  It is hard to take a step forward without a sign that the next 3 steps are already determined.  You see faith is putting one foot in front of the other believing that the next step will be shown again because God's authority in our lives is one of a loving Father to protect, provide and lead.  Look throughout chapter 11 of Hebrews and you will see both men and women who simply trusted in their Lord no matter how things might have appeared around them.

Wrapping this thought up Peter tells us (1 Peter 2:6) that when our trust, faith, and authority rests in Jesus we are never shamed.  We have to understand that we are considered God's most valuable treasure; His most valuable possession.  He went to all lengths and measures to rescue us from our sin and mess in order to give us a new life; in order to call us to new things, new steps that we don't always see in order for us to know His love and protection at a deeper level.  As that deeper level is revealed we see more of the treasured possession God is raising within us.

Right now God is leading us through a time of Faith stretching.  We are walking through a time where we are reminded of Christ's authority within our lives; the kind of authority in our lives where He desires nothing from us, but a trust that He may pull out His most treasured possession.  In our culture sometimes the hardest thing and the last thing that we give God authority of within our lives is our stuff.  Why?  Some may be selfishness, but honestly I wonder if most is due to us really coming to a place where we believe God when he calls us treasured, valuable, and says that He will take us into the palm of His hand to raise us up.  

Our Re:Awaken 2016 Vision Campaign I pray is a tool in which God uses to stretch our faith, to help us take one step beyond what we can see and when that happens we discover more of God's character and how He values us.  As a church we are working on seeing $110K given over the next two years that in the end will help us reach more for Jesus in VB and in Portsmouth and to better minister to those God has brought and will bring to us.  Just this past weekend Awaken collected an initial $70K in cash and pledges towards our goal of $110K.  It was an incredible beginning for a new season of Faith stretching. 

On a personal note Connie and I were challenged to give more than we ever have towards this initiative.  During the last couple of months as we were determining what God would have us give we received bad news on our van; it didn't pass state inspection and the bill was going to be upward of $1200.  Over the next couple of days we struggled how God was going to move.  Next thing we knew a friend took our van and fixed our inspection items at no expense to us.  Through this process God challenged us to give more than we thought possible, not out of guilt or pressure, but because we saw how God can be trusted when we step out to reach others with the gospel.

Faith.  A reminder to me that I am one of God's most valued possessions. 

My Journey of Thankfulness

As the year 2013 closes out, Awaken has a lot to be thankful for. We made our internal budget this year! Our people rallied together in the end to make it happen. We have sent out about 25 families to be missionaries in other parts of the country and the world through the natural transients of a military area. From the stories we hear coming in, God is using them greatly as excepted. Our kid’s ministry has doubled in size. We have had as many as 35 kids on a Sunday! We have focused our energies on the elementary aged kids and have seen so much excitement as they learn more about God and His love for them. We have the continued support of many outside donors, whether individual families or churches. Thank you for your generous sacrifice! The people of Awaken are grateful, as their lives have been changed because of you. 

With these important examples being mentioned, I would like to also share with you the reasons why I am thankful for Awaken. In a way, I do this selfishly because I need to remember to be thankful. I need to reflect on what Awaken is to me so that I don’t take it for granted. If you don’t mind, please journey with me for a moment as I highlight the things that mean the most to me. For those of you who have never physically walked beside an Awakenite, you are in for a treat! However, in order for this to work properly, you will have to obtain the help of your imagination. Everyone ready?!? 

One of our volunteers Brandon cleaning up for Awaken Kids

Awaken prides itself on being a church outside the 4 walls of a building (as it was meant to be). The church is made up of people. We all know this, but in order to see the picture I wish to paint, we need to enter the facility Awaken calls home, Pembroke Meadows Cinema Café. If you are coming from the highway (most of you would be), you will go north on Independence Boulevard turning right into the plaza that we call home on Sundays from 7‐12:30. Go ahead and find a parking spot. Meet me at the door as I wish to give you the grand tour. Don’t fret! I will wait while Raymond, Rob, and other members of the Hospitality Team rush to greet you before you even make it to the door. Are you loaded down with babies, diaper bags, purses, coffee, and coats (yes, they are needed on occasion)? Not to worry! One of these fine people will gladly assist you. Oh, it’s raining and you forgot your umbrella. Again, there is nothing to fear. We won’t allow you to enter the building with flat hair or water logged clothes. We’ve always an umbrella to spare! On that note, I am thankful for the courage and availability of Awaken’s people. They never miss the chance to welcome a guest no matter how intimidating it may feel. No matter the weather or the circumstance, you will not enter the building without being greeted, even if you aren’t a first‐timer. 

Now that you have made your way to the entrance, I will introduce you to Brandon. He is always ready with a smile and a hand with the door. The first thing you will hear when you enter is laughing. I have thought back on this many times, my entering the building on Sunday morning. I really don’t remember a time when laughter couldn’t be heard upon entrance. Look to your left. You will see children playing in the lobby. We gather in a movie theater. So, you are expecting posters advertising upcoming movies, gaudy lighting, and arcade games to be the first things you notice. I will admit those things are there. The children are playing on the arcade games. I mean, what kid doesn’t want to be in the drivers seat of a fake car? But, I will argue that those things aren’t what you notice first. As I said, it’s the laughter. Listen closely. Do you hear it? Children playing together, the set up crew is cracking jokes while they rearrange our space, the hospitality team is giggling over the antics of its head jokester, Ricchard and his family. Always smiling, always laughing. I am thankful for the joy that cannot be hidden and the people from which it flows.

Continue up the hallway and turn right into theater 1. This is where you will find Dave, his wife Nichole, Scott, Mike, his wife Bethany, John, and many others who sacrifice their sleeping‐in time to come early and transform this theater into the place where Awaken Kids gets their groove and their Jesus on. As you enter, you won’t be ignored. People are more important to these dedicated workers. Dave will talk your ear off, but don’t let him! I know his story of life change is powerful as is his wife’s. However, we have more people to meet. Before we do, I am thankful for people who aren’t afraid to share their struggles and successes. They aren’t worried about what you may think of them. They are more concerned about whether you know who saved them and that He can save you too. 

Across the hall we meet up with Jeff, Drew, JP, Mike, Kellie, Lisa, Rachel, and the rest of the band, sound and light crew. They are transforming theater 2 into a place of worship. Again, can you hear the laughter? Everyone is having a good time as they prepare for what’s ahead. I am thankful for their dedication behind the scenes so that many will see the name of Jesus proclaimed. 

One of our Community Groups celebrating Christmas

There are many more stops on the journey, ones we don’t have much time for right now. You could stop in at Elise and Sarah’s house after church where they are doing a great job leading a woman’s bible study. Or, you could head over to the Portsmouth community group and witness, Jon, Rachel, Mike and Bethany, doing life with their fellow Awakenites and neighbors. The same things are going on Wednesday night in the Haygood and Lynhaven area with Raymond, Jackie, Trap, Leigha, Dave and Nichole. Come during the summer and you can join them in outreach to the community they live in through their Soccer Camp or 4th of July events. It doesn’t matter where or what time you meet them, you will always be greeted and welcomed. Not into a building. Not into a group. Not onto a team. Not into anything but a family. You can come carrying baggage so heavy you can no longer bare the weight of it. You can come with preconceived ideas about God and His love. You can come with a smile on your face but pain in your eyes. It doesn’t matter what shape you are in when you arrive, there will always be someone there to meet you, greet you, and help you lug your burden to the cross. Why? Because Awaken isn’t a church, it’s a family. That is what I am most thankful for. Awaken is a family and I get to be apart of it. 

                                 by Connie Pumphrey

Why We Do Sermon Based Community Groups

1. Makes the Message Memorable:  If people know they are going to be discussing the sermon from Sunday they will be much more focused and engaged.  Over time more people will take notes, and will dramatically increase their ability to hold onto truth when life requires it.
2. Allows Everyone from the Spiritual Novice to the Newbie To Participate:  Having groups that work through the material from Sunday allows everyone an entry point into the conversation.  Everyone having listened to the sermon will feel like they have something to share.  You always want groups with the spiritually mature interacting with those maybe less mature.
3. Church Wide Focus:  When everyone in the church is looking at the same material more than once it helps keep everyone in the church moving in the same direction.  Whether it is vision material, difficult material, or just clarifying direction everyone is going the same place. 
4. Easier on the Preaching Team:  It helps knowing where everyone has been to know where to go in the future.  
5. Sticking Truth: There are four stages of knowledge that people go through before a truth sticks; groups help this progression.    a) Inspired = when people hear a new truth that rings true.  b)  Familiarity = something where people say I remember that.  c)  Bored = people say I’ve heard that all before and there is nothing new to learn.  d)  Knowledgeable = know a truth and use it without being reminded, sub-consciously becomes a part of my everyday life.  Material truly impacts when it becomes knowledgeable. 
6.  Reaching More People:  People in groups are much more apt to listen to the sermon on line if they missed it due to serving or missing worship.
7. Reeling in the Marginally Interested:  It is a smaller leap for someone on the fence in their faith to get involved in a Sermon-Based Community Group than if it is about something entirely different.  If they go simply because their spouse wanted to or because of another relationship they will find themselves slowly drawn into God’s Word based simply on their knowledge from Sunday.  This is how someone marginal in his or her faith becomes a committed follower of Christ. 
8. Bettered Prepared:  There is little prep time for anybody involved.  The leader has little prep time because he has heard the sermon and has been given questions that he can use.  The people coming have no homework (which we all know most people won’t do including you) and feel ready to engage.  Everyone has already put in 45 minutes of prep from Sunday without thinking about it.
9. Allowing More People to Lead:  Sermon-Based groups don’t require someone gifted in teaching to be able to lead.  The problem in most churches is that as leaders are raised up there is nowhere to let them lead.  Within a Community Group that discusses the past weeks message all that person needs is a growing relationship with God and a heart for the people in the group.

 adapted from Larry Osborne Sticky Church 

(also just makes sense and have seen played out)

That Kind Of Person

As I think of the heart of Jesus I can't help but think of that kind of person.  You know the blind man Jesus spit in the mud and healed.  Peter, the fisherman who looked and smelled and cussed like your modern day sailor.  Matthew the trader who cared more about swindling people out of money as a Roman Tax Collector then he did his own people.  The woman who married and slept with any man who would show a slight interest in her.  You know that kind of person.  The wee little man hanging out in a tree after swindling even his mom out of her life savings.  This man was so bad he lead the whole group of extortionists.  You know that lady that was caught sleeping around.  When I think about Jesus, I can't help but think of that kind of person because it seemed as though that's who Jesus thought most about too.

But why?  Why would Jesus think of these people?  Maybe a better question why did he always seem to be reaching out to that kind of person?  All I can think of is love.  Love made him do it.  Love made Jesus build a reputation of the King of Misfits.  You know those people who love Rocky Horror Picture show.  Jesus' love for people made him go to extremes to send the life line that so many need.  Love makes you do crazy things.  After all my love for my wife makes me go shoe shopping.  Even though shoe shopping doesn't compare to the extremes Jesus went to in order to share and show His love.

As I think of Jesus' love to that kind of person I scratch my head in disbelief that Jesus' Church doesn't have the same reputation.  Why are we not known as the Church of Misfits?  Why do people believe they need to put things together in their lives to come in?  Why aren't we known for loving that kind of person.  Jesus once stated the greatest of all commands, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this Love your neighbor as yourself".

Who do you love?  Jesus was basically saying if you love God you will love people... you will even love that kind of person.  After all aren't we all that kind of person.  Deep inside each of us is the idolater, the adulterer, the greedy swindler, the user, the list can go on and I hope we get the point.  We are the misfits and I pray God breaks my heart for other misfits.  Because if you show me a person whose heart doesn't break for people, I will beg the point that they have lost the heart of Jesus. 

Jesus loved that Kind of Person and I'm glad He did!

Cloud by Day, Fire by Night

Never question in the dark what you have seen in the light!  

This past Sunday I took Awaken through Matthew 11:1-12 where Jesus is shown doing miracles and John the Baptist is sitting in a prison cell awaiting his execution.  The main part of this passage is where John (or as I described to our people crazy uncle Jonny) asked Jesus a question: "Are you the one to come or should we expect someone else?"  I explained that this was interesting because John was for certain that Jesus was God (John 1:29-34).  What though is even more interesting is Jesus response back, "Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me".

Interesting use of words from Jesus.  He basically was saying "John don't stop pursuing me because of me".  How can Jesus cause us to stop following him?  Well God is not always going to do what we think he ought to do.  Meaning that when things get tough don't question in those dark times what God has shown us to be true in those times of blessing.

We are to follow God like the Israelites did during the Exodus.  They followed a Cloud by Day and a Fire by Night (Exodus 40:34-38).  They were willing to follow God wherever and whenever He lead.

We as a church have had to do just these things over the past month.  We had to remember what God showed us to do in the light; we had to follow God's leading not always knowing the next step.

Over the past month many of you know that Awaken was approaching the end of our contract in our current facility at the end of September.  We had been working diligently towards a new home and thought we had several things lined up until each were stripped away one right after another.  We were left in a place where all we could do was trust God would provide.  With 3 days until we would be homeless as a church God decided to reveal to us the space He knew all along would be our new place of worship.

Starting this coming Sunday Awaken will enter into a new season when we begin meeting in a Cinema Cafe (movie theater that serves food on independence blvd) right up the street from where we were at.  We are excited as God leads us into a new season of ministry and new people we will be able to reach with the Gospel. 

Please praise Him with us in His Provision!  Thanks for your prayers as we continue to follow Jesus as a Cloud by Day and a Fire by Night.

Ecstatic for Uncertainty (Letter to Awaken)

Yesterday in Worship I believe God gave us all an image that what we have seen Him do in Awaken is only the beginning.  As Awaken is quickly moving towards our last Sunday on September 30 in our current meeting space there was a sense of excitement as we watch God lead us through the obstacle of unknown future meeting space.  There was an overall spirit that we have never been confined by the walls of a building so why start now.

For those that couldn't be in worship yesterday you missed a great one!  I encourage you to check out the message with the link below.  But to bring everybody up to speed, we have not been permitted to renew our current lease on Sunday Mornings with the current church we rent from.  To be brief the church we have been renting space from has become uncomfortable with our approach to ministry.  As you know at Awaken we do ministry in an unorthodox way where we will do anything short of sin to reach somebody with the gospel.  Things from Jousting on Father's Day, to Porn Sunday (talking to our men about the dangers of Pornography), to our Fight against Human Sex Trafficking.  However we have seen God do great things in both Awaken and the church that was gracious to house us this past year.  Holland Road has seen growth as well as many of their kids come to Jesus through this time.  Awaken has also seen people come to Christ and seen God cement more of the vision He has called us to through our continued growth.

One thing to keep in mind is that the early church was never contained to one particular space.  It was never identified by where it was, but in fact who they were.  It excites me to see God doing the same thing within the early story of Awaken.  Yes there is an uncertainty with one more week of meeting space, but as we talked about yesterday we prayed for this.  We prayed for God to lead us to our next home in a way that only He would receive the Glory.  We prayed that the only way to explain it would be to say God Moved!

If we truly want to be maturing in our faith and seeing new people coming to know Jesus we must be willing to face some amount of uncertainty.  And let me tell you I was ecstatic to see you as Awaken embrace our uncertainty with meeting space, but all the while knowing that our ministry to this city is just beginning. 

Through the Valley of Decision God Brings Mountain Top Provision.  Thanks for being Awaken and following and praying to God through this exciting time in our early history.

Love You Guys and Ready to Link Arms in Kicking the Devils Butt All Over This City!

http://www.awakenvirginiabeach.com/media/?sermonID=98&mediatype=hq-video